Winds turned southerly yesterday, a sure sign summer has arrived for sailors along the east shores of Japan. For Saito-san, it meant a day of improved sailing on a beam reach, and he was decidedly happier during the morning's call. While hampered by his cut-down main, even under relatively moderate winds he was able to move 42 nm closer to Ogasawara during the 24-hr period. That was a welcome improvement over yesterday's frustrating 30 nm.

Still no weather warnings as skies stay mostly overcast with broken clouds and passing summer squalls.

At the time of his call, winds were blowing out of the S & SSE at 6 – 10 kts, for a reported 3.0-kt boat speed. Winds were forecast on ClearPoint to be mostly out of the SSW at 9 – 12 kts until tomorrow.

***
Distance in last 24 hours: 42 nm DOG / 42 nm DMG

Total distance completed: 27,743 nm

To Yokohama: 768 nm (measured)

To Ogasawara: 286 nm (measured)

Average daily DMG over last 4 days of sailing: 55 nm (measured)

ETA, Ogasawara: 5-8 days

ETA, Yokohama: ? days

Heading: 290°

Reported boat speed: 3.0 kts

Average boat speed: 1.8 kts

Weather: Overcast, warm, squalls in the area

Temperature: 29.0° C

Barometer: 1014 hPa

Wind (from): 8-10 kts SE

Waves: 1.0 m

Sails: Genoa 90%, staysail 0%, mainsail 3pt reef

Engine: 0 hrs

Generator: 0 hrs

[Weather and wind forecasts are from ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 Supporting Sponsor.]

A massive high pressure system has moved into the area, pinching off winds, ushering in scattered pockets of passing squalls, and reducing NBSDIII's progress to just 30 nm since yesterday.

The reassuring news is that no heavy weather is presently shown, and the marine weather service has no warnings or alerts other than mentioning unsettled weather well to the west of today's position. Lighting strikes could be seen on ClearPoint 45 nm from NBSDIII's morning position.

The reduced winds were expected to continue through at least tomorrow, which promises to draw out the Ogasawara ETA by at least 2 additional days and delaying Saito-san's arrival until sometime next week. As of this morning he had 325 nm remaining to reach port, a cold beer, and a good soak in the island's famed hot springs.

He took advantage of the quiet conditions to sleep several hours during the night as the boat drifted under furled headsails.

At the time of his call, winds were blowing out of the E & SE at 6 – 8 kts, for a reduced boat speed of 2.0 kts. The sky was generally overcast with broken clouds. Sea swells were about 1.0 m, and moving with the current out of the east.

***
Distance in last 24 hours: 31 nm DOG / 30 nm DMG

Total distance completed: 27,701 nm

To Yokohama: 808 nm (measured)

To Ogasawara: 325 nm (measured)

Average daily DMG over last 4 days of sailing: 65 nm (measured)

ETA, Ogasawara: 6-9 days

ETA, Yokohama: ? days

Heading: 250°

Reported boat speed: 2.0 kts

Average boat speed: 1.3 kts

Weather: Overcast, warm, squalls in the area

Temperature: 29.0° C

Barometer: 1012 hPa

Wind (from): 5-6 kts E & SE

Waves: 1.0 m

Sails: Genoa 90%, staysail 0%, mainsail 3pt reef

Engine: 0 hrs

Generator: 0 hrs

[Weather and wind forecasts are from ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 Supporting Sponsor.]

Those wonderfully steady NE trade winds appear to have largely vanished overnight as DMG dropped to just 66 nm.

That's the least he's gained since he accidentally ventured into semi-doldrums at the beginning of June. Then he saw a few days of less than 20 nm distance made good and even a frustrating day when he lost 2 nm.

This time, a large high carrying variable winds has moved into the area and chased the Trades away. Judging from ClearPoint Weather, this could last anywhere from a day to several days. Fortunately the current is still moving the direction he wants to go.

He reports the ship's batteries are now almost completely drained. We got a beacon position this morning (90 minutes later than usual) so apparently some juice still remains. If the automatic satellite beacon positions stop, we'll continue to get his twice-daily reports by Iridium satellite phone. Each call is now kept to 2 minutes or less.

He reported that he stopped the boat and drifted 3.5 hours during the night to catch some much-needed shut-eye.

***
During the 24-hr period NBSDIII moved 66 nm closer to Ogasawara, now 354 nm west. Depending on the disruption of easterly winds caused by the newly arrived high pressure system, the time it will take to reach port in Chichi Jima is at least 5 days at 2.5 – 3.5 kts.

At the time of his call, winds were blowing out of the ENE at just 6 – 8 kts, for a reduced boat speed of 2.5 kts. He jibed to a heading of 220 about 070 JST.

Weather was overcast. Sea swells were 1.5 m.

***
Distance in last 24 hours: 67 nm DOG / 66 nm DMG

Total distance completed: 27,670 nm

To Yokohama: 823 nm (measured after Ogasawara adjustment)

To Ogasawara: 354 nm (measured)

Average daily DMG over last 4 days of sailing: 82 nm (measured)

ETA, Ogasawara: 5-6 days

ETA, Yokohama: ? days

Heading: 210°

Reported boat speed: 2.5 kts

Average boat speed: 2.8 kts

Weather: Overcast, some sun; warm

Temperature: 29.0° C

Barometer: 1012 hPa

Wind (from): 6-8 kts ENE

Waves: 1.5 m

Sails: Genoa 90%, staysail 0%, mainsail 3pt reef

Engine: 0 hrs

Generator: 0 hrs

[Weather and wind forecasts are from ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 Supporting Sponsor.]

When Minoru Saito was planning his 8th solo circumnavigation he had already long developed an international reputation for dogged determination. He had competed in three of the most strenuous, continuous competitions in ANY sport – the solo, around-the-world BOC Challenge, later held under different names – and did it with such grace, good cheer, and spirit that he was awarded the one-time award "Spirit of Around Alone" by his fellow competitors.

He competed but never won. Never even came close. To him, "never giving up" was the most important thing.

When he planned this voyage, now in its incredible 1000th day, he had hoped to make his best-ever circumnavigation in just 187 days from start to finish.

But what has stopped other sailors in much newer, sleeker, better-outfitted boats, was a simple fact: The spin of the Earth. Saito-san went the "wrong" way, the contrary way, against that spin. Every aspect was made harder by a multiplying factor as he has fought the prevailing waves, winds and weather in a hard-pounding slog that would be extreme for any person half his age. Ask any sailor whether they'd be game to try it and watch their face and eyes. Ask yourself, for that matter.

When we pointed out this morning that today was the 1000th day since he left Yokohama on October 2, 2008, he first couldn't understand. Finally he could grasp that amazing number and laughed hard and long. "What?" he exclaimed. "Really!?"

Clearly, that even impressed him.

***A fair day of progress as he moved 87 nm closer to Ogasawara, now 417 nm due west. At a daily average of 93 nm, that should take him another 4 days.

Winds were largely favorable blowing out of the NNE at 12 – 15 kts, for a boat speed of 4 kts. Weather was mostly overcast, with occasional sun breaking through. Sea swells were with him, at 1.5 m.

No new issues were reported.

***

A new route has been plotted to take him under the island of Haha Jima, 18 nm directly south of the island of Chichi Jima where the port is located in Ogasawara Village. Saito-san feels this will give him a better sailing angle as he makes his way to the west side of Chichi Jima. The revised route added 35 nm to the total.

Waypoints on route taking him south of Haha Jima

***

Distance in last 24 hours: 87 nm DOG / 87 nm DMG

Total distance completed: 27,603 nm

To Yokohama: 835 nm (measured)

To Ogasawara: 417 nm (measured)

Average daily DMG over last 4 days of sailing: 93 nm (measured)

ETA, Ogasawara: 4 days

ETA, Yokohama: ? days

Heading: 290°

Reported boat speed: 4.0 kts

Average boat speed: 3.6 kts

Weather: Overcast, some sun; warm

Temperature: 29.0° C

Barometer: 1013 hPa

Wind (from): 12-15 kts ENE

Waves: 1.5 m

Sails: Genoa 90%, staysail 0%, mainsail 3pt reef

Engine: 0 hrs

Generator: 0 hrs

[Weather and wind forecasts are from ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 Supporting Sponsor.]

A bit slower progress during the period as winds slowed and turned a bit less favorable from the NNE and sometimes NW. He made 83 nm of DMG, including a several-hour rest break.

Ogasawara is presently 467 nm away. At 0800 he was making 3.5 kts. Winds were expected to improve later in the day, however at this reduced speed he will take 6 more days to reach port there.

No other issues were reported.

***
It was announced Friday that Ogasawara has been named a World Heritage site by UNESCO, making it just the fourth site in Japan to receive this distinction.

Under the selection criteria based on natural aspects, a World Heritage site is "an outstanding example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems, and communities of plants and animals"

[and]

"contains the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation."

Ogasawara has several rare or endangered species, and is called by naturalists the "Galapagos in the Orient" due to its rich and distinctive natural aspects.

***

Distance in last 24 hours: 85 nm DOG / 83 nm DMG

Total distance completed: 27,516 nm

To Yokohama: 922 nm (measured)

To Ogasawara: 467 nm (measured)

Average daily DMG over last 4 days of sailing: 98 nm (measured)

ETA, Ogasawara: 6 days

ETA, Yokohama: ? days

Heading: 280°

Reported boat speed: 3.5 kts

Average boat speed: 3.5 kts

Weather: Overcast; winds variable; warm

Temperature: 29.0° C

Barometer: 1014 hPa

Wind (from): 8-12 kts ENE & NW variable

Waves: 1.5 m

Sails: Genoa 90%, staysail 0%, mainsail 3pt reef

Engine: 0 hrs

Generator: 0 hrs

[Weather and wind forecasts are from ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 Supporting Sponsor.]

A 5-hr rest stop to sleep during the night, headsails furled and boat drifting, was part of his first-day strategy after Saito-san was forced to quit using the autopilot to conserve battery power. He sounded chipper this morning, especially after steady northeasterly winds and the helpful Kurosio (Black) Current kept pushing him in the direction he wanted to go. Despite the rest break, he could make 102 nm of progress toward Ogasawara where he will attend to engine repairs.

Ogasawara is presently 544 nm away. At 0800 he was making 4.5 kts. Depending on how much he is slowed by rest breaks now that he must hand steer, he should be able to reach Ogasawara in 5 or 6 days.

Saito 8 Support Committee member Hide Katada was to contact the Coast Guard facility on Ogasawara this morning as well as make first contact with a marine engine service company there. Saito 8 Support Committee member David Devlin was also assisting with local contacts on the island.

Saito-san confirmed that he is able to recharge the Iridium phone from the ship's batteries as long as they hold out.

***
Today marked another milestone… he had just 1,000 nm to go to Yokohama at the time of his morning call.

***

Distance in last 24 hours: 102 nm DOG / 102 nm DMG

Total distance completed: 27,431 nm

To Yokohama: 1,000 nm (measured)

To Ogasawara: 544 nm (measured)

Average daily DMG over last 4 days of sailing: 95 nm (measured)

ETA, Ogasawara: 6 days

ETA, Yokohama: ? days

Heading: 260°

Reported boat speed: 4.5 kts

Average boat speed: 4.3 kts

Weather: Overcast; winds moderate; warm

Temperature: 29.0° C

Barometer: 1015 hPa

Wind (from): 13-17 kts ENE, variable

Waves: 2.0 m

Sails: Genoa 80%, staysail 0%, mainsail 3pt reef

Engine: 0 hrs

Generator: 0 hrs

[Weather and wind forecasts are from ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 Supporting Sponsor.]

Saito-san called after midnight to report that the genset had failed. He said he believes the cooling water pump had broken. The genset began overheating and is not usable, and cannot be repaired on the water, he told us at 1:22 am Tokyo time. "I have begun hand-steering," he said.

The seriousness is hard to estimate. With the engine also dead he has no ability to charge the ship's batteries, and that means no autopilot. He can still steer the hydraulically assisted tiller continuously by hand, and while this will be highly taxing over a number of days for a solo sailor, he feels confident he can do it.

Faced with this new situation, Saito-san has decided to head for Ogasawara, part of the Bonin Island group, presently 643 nm away. By 0700 he had progressed 102 nm in the 24-hr period and was making 4.0 kts. Depending on how much he is slowed by rest breaks now that he must hand steer, he should be able to reach Ogasawara in 6 or 7 days. Ogasawara is approximately 4 days from Yokohama.

Previously, the repair stop had been planned for Hachijo Jima, which is an additional 2 or 3 days away from NBSDIII's current position.

A further concern is that eventually he will lose his ability to communicate by Iridium satellite phone, since its batteries are charged by the auxillary genset. He has 2 spare Iridium batteries but the state of their charge is presently unknown. He has 2 spare hand-held GPS units and "about 50 batteries to power those and his hand-held VHS radio," Dave Cooper confirmed from Hawaii. The vessel's tracking beacon that gives his position every 6 hours is also expected to die at some point.

Tokyo shore crew member Hide Katada contacted the Coast Guard this morning to apprise them, and was told that the Coast Guard has a facility on Ogasawara that will be able to assist if necessary. No emergency was called.

Hide-san also spoke to Saito-san, who asked us to contact OkeraNet, a Japanese-based marine radio service. NBSDIII's long-distance SSB radio was in good working order when she left Hawaii, Dave told us this morning. Saito-san will additionally communicate through OkeraNet, as well as to a reduced extent over Iridium, with the anticipation that the phone's batteries will soon become depleted.

***

Distance in last 24 hours: 103 nm DOG / 102 nm DMG

Total distance completed: 27,329 nm

To Yokohama: 1,100 nm (measured)

To Ogasawara: 643 nm (measured)

Average daily DMG over last 4 days of sailing: 98 nm (measured)

ETA, Ogasawara: ? days

ETA, Yokohama: ? days

Heading: 290°

Reported boat speed: 4.0 kts

Average boat speed: 4.3 kts

Weather: Overcast; winds moderate; warm

Temperature: 29.0° C

Barometer: 1015 hPa

Wind (from): 8-10 kts ENE, variable

Waves: 1.5 m

Sails: Genoa 90%, staysail 0%, mainsail 3pt reef

Engine: 0 hrs

Generator: 4 hrs; afterward overheating and stopped

[Weather and wind forecasts are from ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 Supporting Sponsor.]